Cilic remained wary of a fightback even when Nadal was limping heavily at the start of the fifth set.

"When you're wounded, sometimes you are a little bit looser, so I was really paying attention to these first couple of games [in set five], just trying to keep my intensity up," he explained.

"It was absolutely important for me to keep that intensity up and continue with my own game, not looking across the net.

"As the match went further on, I was hitting more winners, playing better and better."

Surprise package Kyle Edmund now stands between Cilic and a third grand slam final appearance.

"He's had an amazing run in this tournament. Definitely big congratulations to him," said the 2014 US Open champion.

"For me, I have to keep going with my own game. Kyle is also a big hitter, great serve, great forehand, so I have to take things in my own hands and try to deal with my own [side of the] court in the best way possible."